A sociological study of Sinhala new year rituals and the functional role of women within the environmental context

The Sinhala New Year, celebrated annually on either the 13th or 14th of April, marks the beginning of the month of Bak in the Sinhala calendar. The day preceding this is the final day of the previous year, and the rituals associated with this transitional period are divided into two parts: the “Old Year” rituals and the New Year rituals. These traditions are deeply rooted in folk medicine, games, beliefs, and customs, while also showing the influence of Indian Vedic religion and deity worship.This study investigates the potential indirect connections between the origins of Sinhala New Year rituals and Indian cultural influences. The primary aim is to examine the unique characteristics of this influence and how it has been integrated and sustained within the local context, particularly in relation to ecological knowledge and traditional practices.Three sub-objectives guided this investigation:To explore the embedded local knowledge within these rituals as reflected in folk traditions. To examine how the rituals relate to human life transitions and the environmental knowledge they convey. To analyze the ecological dimensions of New Year rituals through a feminist lens. Employing a qualitative, descriptive methodology grounded in interpretivism and human-centered paradigms, data was collected through interviews with ten individuals—including astrologers, fortune tellers, researchers, and scholars—selected using snowball sampling. Thematic analysis was applied to explore key patterns related to the research objectives.The study identifies Sinhala New Year rituals as cultural practices that are intricately connected to the local natural environment. Women’s roles within these rituals are primarily centered around the family, but their functions are revealed to be multidimensional. Women act as facilitators in food production and distribution, and as providers of diverse forms of labor. They demonstrate integrated environmental knowledge rooted in everyday experience—knowledge not used merely for consumption but for planning, conserving, and sustaining resources. Rather than being passive consumers, women emerge as active agents in conservation, investment, sustainability, and productivity. They primarily utilize locally available resources such as water, food, fuel (fire wood and fire), simple tools, and physical labor in their roles

Exponential developments of quantum dots ecosystem for solar energy conversion and photocatalytic reactions: From photoanode design to renewable energy applications

Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) present a promising approach for advancing solar energy conversion due to their tunable optical properties, quantum confinements and superior charge carrier dynamics. This review explores recent innovations in photoanode materials, focusing on the integration of functional quantum dots such as CdS, CdSe, PbS, and other novel QD materials like nickel phosphide, plasmonic, carbon/graphene, hexagonal-boron nitride, and black phosphorus, etc. Several studies show that optimally configured QDSSCs can reach power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of up to 8.6% in systems sensitized with PbS/CdS QDs on ZnO nanorods, marking significant advancements in light harvesting and energy conversion capabilities. Notably, core-shell architectures such as TiO₂-SiO₂ have been shown to enhance light scattering and optimize electron transfer pathways, resulting in PCEs of approximately 3.6%, a substantial increase over conventional designs. The review highlights the design of photoanodes with enhanced surface area, structural diversity, and light absorption, emphasizing the role of multi-band energetics, inter-band transitions and composite interactions. Additionally, this review offers insights into how optimized photoanode morphologies and QD coupling can mitigate surface charge recombination, enhance catalytic activity, and elevate green hydrogen production. By addressing key developments in material engineering, this work aims to guide future research towards more efficient and sustainable energy technologies

The relationship between health expenditure and inflation in Sri Lanka (2000 - 2021)

Health expenditure plays a crucial role in ensuring quality and accessible healthcare services. On the other hand, inflation erodes the real value of these expenditures, particularly in developing countries like Sri Lanka. This study examines the relationship between health expenditure and inflation in Sri Lanka from 2000 to 2021. The sub-objectives include analyzing both short-run and long-run relationships and proposing relevant policy recommendations. Data were collected from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the World Bank. Microsoft Excel and E-Views software were used for analysis, employing models such as ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) and the error correction model (ECM). The findings indicate that variables such as inflation and GDP per capita significantly influence health expenditure. The results reveal a strong long-run correlation between inflation and health expenditure, suggesting that the healthcare sector is persistently affected by economic inflation. In the short run, changes in health spending exhibit a moderate response to inflation fluctuations. Based on these findings, the study proposes policy recommendations to address gaps in Sri Lanka’s healthcare financing system. These include increasing public funding, improving fiscal forecasting and planning, and implementing measures to control inflation to ensure equitable healthcare provision

Challenges of youth political participation: a study focused on Akkaraipattu divisional secretariat areas

Political participation refers to the engagement of citizens in the political processes of their country. The concept encompasses the activities of through which individuals to express their opinion, influence decision - making, and engage in actions that shape governance.in a democratic system, Political participation is not limited to voting in elections. It also includes joining political parties and participating in public activities as well as other forms of civic engagement. Particularly, youth political participation is crucial for a thriving democracy. As it ensures the Representation of the young generation’s needs and interest, it brings new perspective and Drive significant political and social change. In many democratic nations, young people constitute a significant proportion of the population, underscoring their potential impact on societal development. However, in the Akkaraipattu divisional secretariat areas, political participation among youth remains notably low, the main objective of the research is to identify the challenges hindering their involvement in political participation process of youths. Living in areas under the Akkaraipattu divisional secretariat and to provide recommendations to address these challenges. In order to achieve the objective of the research, primary data was collected through the structured questionnaires and interviews targeting individuals aged 24 to 30. The study was based on mixed research methodology using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Accordingly, a convenience sampling method was utilized to select participants from the target demographic, and secondary data was sourced from the internet, research papers, reports and journals. The findings of the research reveals several key barriers to youth political participation in the selected research area. These include a lack of awareness about the benefits of political involvement, Lack of economic resources, insufficient political knowledge, and low level of trust in political intuitions, inadequate civic education, and cultural barriers. These insights are expected to assist policy makers and youth leaders in enhancing effective strategies to promote political participation among youth people in particular research area, thereby contributing to the strengthening of democratic processes

isbn

Genetic technology, which involves altering the genetic makeup of organisms to introduce desirable traits, has become a pivotal tool in modern agriculture. In the context of vegetable cultivation, this technology enables the production of crops such as onions, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, pumpkins, and beets with improved characteristics. The Eravur region in Sri Lanka’s Batticaloa district is particularly well-suited for vegetable farming due to its favourable climate, fertile land, and strategic connectivity via the east-west Eravur railway line. This study aims to: (a) Examine the transformations in vegetable cultivation brought about by the adoption of genetic technology in Eravur; (b) Identify the constraints faced by farmers in implementing these technologies. (c) Propose alternative strategies and action plans to overcome existing barriers. The research methodology combines primary data collected through discussions and observations with secondary data from published sources, employing both structured and informal techniques, including statistical analysis and interviews. The findings highlight the benefits of genetic technology, such as accelerated crop growth, increased yields, enhanced climate resilience, and reduced disease incidence. However, the study also identifies significant environmental, social, and economic challenges that hinder the widespread adoption of these technologies. Recommendations include the introduction of awareness programs, policy interventions, and alternative approaches to address these barriers and support sustainable development in vegetable cultivation

Efficiency enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells through neodymium-doped graphene quantum dot-modified TiO₂ photoanodes

This study explored the effects of Neodymium-doped graphene quantum dots (NdGQDs) on improving the performance efficiency of TiO2 based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). By employing in-situ physical assisted mixing, DSSCs with optimized NdGQDs in TiO2 photoanodes showed a power conversion efficiency of 8.76 %, a significant improvement compared to the 6.01 % efficiency of pristine TiO2-based DSSCs under 100 mW cm⁻2 illumination (AM 1.5). Notably, the short-circuit current density increased by 74 %. HRTEM analysis revealed that the NdGQDs have a size range of approximately 7–9 nm. UV–visible spectroscopy and Mott Schottky analysis revealed a positive shift in the Fermi level, promoting better electron transfer and increased photocurrent density at the expenses of the open circuit voltage. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy characterization of DSSCs incorporating NdGQD-modified photoanodes revealed a reduction in electron transfer resistance at the photoanode|dye|electrolyte interface, accompanied by an increase in recombination resistance within the device suppressing the electron recombination rate

Assessing the Social, Economic, and Environmental Impacts of Flood Disasters in the Mathugama Region, Sri Lanka

Flooding is among the most destructive natural hazards worldwide, with Sri Lanka experiencing frequent and severe flood events that significantly disrupt communities and livelihoods. The Mathugama Divisional Secretariat has recently faced notable physical and human challenges due to recurrent floods. This study aims to comprehensively assess the social, economic, and environmental impacts of flood disasters in the Mathugama area. In addition, it seeks to propose effective strategies and recommendations for minimizing future flood-related damages. The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, gathering primary data through questionnaires, interviews, direct observations, and group discussions, alongside secondary data from published literature and official reports. Analytical tools such as MS Excel and ArcGIS 10.8 were employed to process and interpret both qualitative and quantitative data. The findings highlight the multifaceted consequences of flooding on local populations, infrastructure, and the environment, and offer actionable insights to enhance flood management and resilience in the region

A critical analysis of gender discrimination in the film Aruvi

Gender discrimination is a widespread problem, and it's highly visible in the film industry, especially in South Indian movies. This research seeks to explore and understand this problem. Given the temporal constraints inherent in this research, a comprehensive analysis of all films exhibiting gender discrimination was rendered infeasible. Consequently, a purposive sampling methodology was employed, resulting in the selection of the film 'Aruvi' to specifically address the research objective. This research employed qualitative data collection methodologies to acquire pertinent data. Complementary secondary data was also gathered, utilizing sources such as reports, scholarly books, research articles, and websites. The obtained qualitative data was analyzed by a descriptive method (Thematic highlighting). In the analysis section of this study, the research has been thoroughly examined through sub-topics such as the characterization of female roles, the characterization of male roles and gender discrimination in the media. Feminist theoretical frameworks and literature reviews were utilized to validate this study. Finally, this research identified that in the film Aruvi, both gender discrimination and gender-neutral elements were observed, although it is noted that gender discrimination is high in rate in the movie. However, a complete solution cannot be found to eradicate this problem completely. However, the identification of gender discrimination in Indian films can contribute to its reduction

The effect of using Arabic children’s stories in improving the reading skills of the Arabic language for Iranian children: children’s adventure story as a model

This research endeavors to enhance the Arabic reading skills of non-Arabic-speaking Iranian youth through the utilization of children's Adventure stories as an appropriate pedagogical resource. Given the multifaceted nature of the study, a blend of descriptive and field approaches has been adopted. This research necessitates a comprehensive review of pertinent literature and previous studies related to the integration of children’s narratives in reading instruction. Furthermore, it employs a field approach to ascertain the extent of the impact of children's Adventure stories on reading improvement. To address the research question, this study delineates specific criteria for the selection of appropriate texts for firstsecondary school students in Iran, the design of educational content, the pedagogical delivery, and the subsequent analysis of collected data. Employing statistical analysis through the SPSS program, this study confirms the significance of employing children's Adventure stories in ameliorating reading skills. As anticipated, the hypothesis is substantiated through statistical significance, affirming that the utilization of stories yields positive and congruent results

Sustainable tourism development and management: case study Barberyn Island, Beruwala region, Sri Lanka

Tourism is a vital sector in Sri Lanka, contributing approximately 12% to the country's GDP. It attracts local and international visitors annually, playing a critical role in economic growth through foreign exchange earnings, employment generation, and support for various industries such as agriculture, transport, and construction. The economic development of the Beruwala region mainly depends on income generated from tourism. This paper aims to assess the current state of Barberyn Island, identifying the challenges and opportunities for establishing it as a premier tourist destination in the Beruwala region, all while promoting sustainable tourism and infrastructure development. Additionally, alternative ideas will be identified to enhance tourism management and development in Barbican Island, along with strategies to boost the local economy in the Beruwala Region. The study utilized both primary and secondary data sources. The data used included primary sources, such as stakeholder interviews, field surveys, observations, and secondary data. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats were analyzed using a SWOT analysis. Analysis indicates the importance of tourism development in Barberyn Island, establishing it as a premier tourist destination in the Beruwala region, and the lack of awareness of tourism management and development among people .so this study highlighted the ideas and strategies for sustainable tourism and infrastructure development management in Barberyn Island